Planners Wave Proposal Through

Cruise Plan Called `Status Quo'

YORK — A plan to dock a sightseeing and dinner cruise ship in Yorktown sailed around the Planning Commission on Tuesday after county planners decided the commission didn't need to hear the proposal.

"It doesn't represent a new use of the pier because cruise ships already dock there," said Mark Carter, director of community development. "It's basically the status quo."

The Board of Supervisors, which will consider the plan next month, must still approve a lease agreement to allow Yorktown Victory Cruises to dock its 110-foot ship at a pier behind the post office on Water Street. Various cruise lines have occasionally docked ships at the pier in recent years.

The Williamsburg-area investors in the cruise ship say they plan to offer charter cruises this fall and begin sightseeing and dinner cruises open to the public next spring.

In another matter, the commission recommended 4-2 that the supervisors deny a rezoning of 2.2 acres at Cook Road and Route 17, which is near the Colonial National Historical Park and York High School.

Developers Cowles "Buddy" Spencer and Donald W. Davis want the land rezoned to allow a greater variety of retail shops on their property. They have planned a Colonial-style row of offices and stores called Cook Road Shops.

Commissioner Rolf Duerr said there is "no compelling reason" to rezone the property as "a matter of convenience" to the developers because the developers can still build offices and some stores under the land's current zoning.

Spencer said he agreed with Sheriff Preston Williams, who lives near the property, that a fast-food outlet should not be built on the land.

"Traffic would be in and out of there late at night," Williams said.

The commission also recommended 4-2 that the supervisors approve a permit for a 24-hour gas station and convenience store at Showalter Road and Route 17.

Area residents said they are not opposed to the gas station and store if the owners mind their garbage, refrain from cutting down too many trees and direct lights away from their homes.

"It will rid the county of the eyesore currently located on that property," said attorney Allan Steely, a representative of East Coast Oil Corp.

A Pop-Inn convenience store has stood boarded-up on the property about two years.